FIRE SAFETY


EVER-CHANGING FIRE REGULATIONS


Following the Grenfell Tower disaster last year, regulations are being more closely scrutinised than ever before – and rightly so, says Peter Lackey, Fire Manager at Johnson Controls.


Despite needing to ensure post-Grenfell changes are put in place to protect the occupants of their buildings, the reality is that many companies don’t know what their current duties are, or what legal requirements they face.


A significant problem for many is that regulations have been introduced and applied piecemeal over the years. As a result, most businesses have developed their own commitment to fire safety in an organic way. If real change is to happen, an overhaul of the way companies understand and implement fire safety regulation is much-needed.


WHAT SHOULD A FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT


COVER? You need to conduct regular fire risk assessments of the entire building. From the furthest reach of the building to the place of ultimate safety, considering every potential hindrance and risk will give you the best chance of protecting occupants.


That leads us into the question of how to select a competent fire risk assessor when faced with a myriad of advertised services. There isn’t a black and white choice between a satisfactory balance sheet and the safety of employees and the local community. By working with an expert fire risk assessor, businesses can achieve regulatory compliance and desirable safety levels on a workable budget through a combination of intelligent consultancy and expertise.


Many organisations don’t realise that it’s a legal requirement under Article 17 of the FSO to have all building systems maintained. Anything connected to, and which forms part of, the overall fire safety must be maintained – competently.


The detail should consider those most at risk, fitted systems, avoidance of false alarms, hot works, visitors, training, evacuation planning, fire wardens and marshals, water sources, maintenance, signalling and fire brigade response right through to recovery and salvage plans if a fire occurs.


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WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT? Apart from the legal responsibilities which every organisation has under current UK fire legislation – when done properly, a thorough fire risk assessment of your premises can help you manage budgets and efficiency. It can also assist with future planning and change because you will learn more about your buildings, contents and processes than ever before.


A good fire risk assessment can be, very literally, the difference between life and death. The better your assessment, the more well-equipped you’ll be to plan your evacuation procedure, as well as to locate and maintain your detection and suppression systems. A regularly-updated fire risk assessment is the key to understanding the ever-changing potential pitfalls of your building, whether that’s narrow staircases, a need for more call points, or detection technology changes or upgrades to eliminate disruptive and costly false alarms


Not only that, but the ability to plan effectively will help you to look after the bottom line without sacrificing due diligence. The worry has been voiced that sweeping changes in fire regulations will cost the earth because they will be too quick – when faced with a whole new raft of purchases and process updates, it can feel daunting and expensive. By beginning now, you’ll be able to get at least a basic understanding of what’s going to need changing, allowing you to plan in any necessary expense and review multiple tenders to get the best price.


Companies of all sizes, and across sectors, know one thing: change is coming post Grenfell. Prepare your business by investing in a well-resourced and comprehensive fire risk assessment. Working with a partner with a proven record of success, and access to a broad range of services, is also key. More than anything else, treating fire safety and the safety of your employees with the respect they deserve is crucial. There’s a lot to be gained, and so much to be lost.


www.johnsoncontrols.com www.tomorrowshs.com


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